Church Cancels Memorial for Gay Man

Even though we could not condone that lifestyle, we went above and beyond for the family through many acts of love and kindness."

--Rev. Gary Simons, pastor of High Point Church in Arlington, Texas, about the cancellation of a memorial for Cecil Howard Sinclair just 24 hours before the service. Simons says he was unaware Sinclair was gay until the day before the service, when church staff saw photos of men embracing and kissing which were submitted for a video tribute. Simons says he cancelled the service because he didn't want the church to appear to condone homosexuality. Simons says the church offered to pay for another site for the service, and they created the video tribute and provided food for the memorial. Sinclair was not a member of the church; a family member said the church had offered to hold the service because Sinclair's brother is a janitor for High Point.

Full story:
Church Cancels Memorial for Gay Navy Vet

To ponder:
1) Should High Point Church have hosted the service? If this was your call, what would you have done?

2) If High Point had held the service, do you think it would have appeared to condone homosexuality?

3) Does it make a difference that Sinclair wasn't a church member?

4) Do you think churches should be obligated to hold special services, such as marriage nuptials and memorial services, for anyone who requests them?